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// Conclusion Part One: The Search Begins 
// Story: Big Mac's Big Story 
// by Brony_Jay_1983 
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CONCLUSION PART ONE: THE HUNT BEGINS




“I will never let you fall; I’ll stand up with you forever




I’ll be there for you through it all, even if saving you sends me to heaven”
Feather Nib here. It’s been some time since I’ve reported Big Mac’s story. More or less so because it’s been haunting me, and I’ve been trying to get it out of my mind. I’ve made a few trips every now and then to Ponyville, and it seems that every time I’ve gone back, sadness has plagued the town like an irreversible curse. Quite the sad scene, to be honest; to see such a bustling, happy town turn into a somewhat post-apocalyptic state. Nopony out on the streets during the day, nopony with a smile on their face. 
Aside from the crippling sadness of Ponyville, I’ve yet to read the letter mentioned in the previous entry on this case. It’s been morbidly haunting me until I can barely stand it. For some odd reason, the envelope stayed crisp and fresh; which is rather unusual, seeing as how its mid-winter and way past the length of time for Sourwood leaves to stay green. I remember leaving it out on the veranda of my abode for quite some time on the nice little patio table I had. It was a cold afternoon, in the low 30’s I think. I had been out that morning enjoying my morning coffee and cigarette. The envelope’s deep green color and sour, citrusy aroma had caught my attention. Upon opening it, I had encountered a parchment made up of Birch bark, with ink composed of what seemed to be sumac fruit.
“Dear Mr. Nib, 
My name is Ivy Vine. Yes, I am alive and well. I read your published interviews in Ponyville Daily, and knew I had to find you. I have a subscription to Ponyville Daily to keep tabs on matters from my hometown. I saw these interviews with Applejack and Big Mac, and I just knew it was the right time for me to reveal myself to Big Mac. You see, obviously I didn’t die that day. The body was a fake, constructed of leaves and mud. My specialty is earth magic, so it was fairly easy for me to make a golem composed of leaves and mud. I’ve been hiding, for the fear of Big Mac being upset at me for leaving him and faking my death. Please contact me as soon as you’ve read this
Signed, 
Ivy Vine”
This letter took my breath away; as if the cigarette wasn’t enough. So I wrote him back as soon as I possibly could. As soon as I entered my home, to be exact.
“Dear Ivy, 
Thank you for contacting me. I would love to interview you as soon as it is convenient for you. I am currently at my home in Fillydelphia, the address enclosed. I have so many questions to ask of you! It would be marvelous to hear from you as soon as possible. My contact information is enclosed in this envelope. Work hours, addresses and available dates for interviews
Yours truly,
Feather Nib~

February 6th     5:00 P.M.
It wasn’t much longer than a few days until I had heard back from Ivy. We had spoken through letters for a few days afterwards and we had set up the interview for this upcoming weekend. 

February 10th    1:25 P.M., Central Square, Canterlot

I have arrived in Canterlot, Central Square to be exact, to interview Ivy as planned. I arrived at the small coffee and tea shop to see Ivy patiently waiting for me inside. As I walked in, his face turned to an expression of regret, deeper than any I’ve ever seen.
“Mr. Vine; a pleasure to meet you”
“As to you, Mr. Nib”
“So. Where should we start? The day you ‘died’?”
“I guess. If I could recall correctly, it was on a day much like today. A very cold, bitter day. I knew nothing good was to come of that day, the minute I awoke. But as usual, Big Mac always seemed to make it better. There was just such a bright exuberance behind his deep emerald eyes.” He stopped to take a shaky sip of his herbal tea “He had asked me to come with him to the deepest corner of the orchard, which I immediately disagreed to. You see, he was quite the bull headed colt when he was younger. Never really listened to reason from anypony else.” He took another long sip of his herbal tea “He just kept badgering me about it. So, I eventually agreed after not wanting to argue. Things started out smoothly, until he had to go to the bathroom.” His voice became very quiet and low “Then the manticore attacked………Big Mac I can assure you tried to say he was only gone for a few seconds, which he wasn’t. It was more like a few minutes. The Manticore pounced on me and immediately attacked, claws bared.” He took another sip of his tea, unusually calm for telling such a horrific story “He got a good chunk out of my side and flank” He then stood up to show me a large scar running down the length of his side, running from shoulder to flank “Luckily, he didn’t get too deep. So I screamed out in pain to alert Big Mac……then I dove into the pond…..” He started choking up “I couldn’t let Big Mac see me like this……so I made up a golem from the muck in the bottom of the pond, accompanied by some leaves from the bottom as well. That was what Big Mac pulled up, instead of me”
“Please forgive the interruption, but where in that situation was faking your own death?”
“I know what I did was wrong…..and living with that my whole life……I’ve…..its haunted my every single dream, knowing what I’ve done…….Mr. Nib, could you possibly imagine the torture? Could you imagine the hell of knowing that every time you close your eyes, you feel the pain of the only pony you ever cared about?” He started sobbing “I framed my own death……there was no right……I caused all the joy to leave his life…..I never felt his heart anymore…..you know how friends can feel each other’s hearts? Their mere existence? I couldn’t feel that, even knowing he was still alive, I couldn’t feel his existence.” By this point in time, he was in tears
“Ivy, what would you say if I told you I could reunite you and Big Mac?”
He was dead silent for a good minute, tears streaming down his face “You…..you mean it? You can actually bring me back to Big Mac? He’s…..he doesn’t hate me?”
“Ivy, he misses you. Even Applejack knew you were still out there. Ivy, I can bring you back to Ponyville” As I put my hoof on his shoulder, he broke down crying “Hey….no need to cry Ivy…..”
“These….these aren’t tears of sadness Feather! I’m overwhelmed with joy knowing that Big Mac misses me! That he doesn’t hate me!” By this point, he was almost hysterical
“Ivy, please stay in my home with me while I can get things set up for the reunion. I’ll need to contact Applejack, and that one pink party pony to get things set up.” I only got a nod and some more hysterical crying from Ivy. 
We had returned back to my home in Fillydelphia after he had calmed down a respectable amount. I immediately got to work on the letter and planning for Ivy’s return to Ponyville. I had discussed it with him that I would rent him a suite in Cozy Stables Inn until he got his own place, and he agreed after being rather stubborn about the whole offer.

“Dear Applejack,
I have found Ivy in Canterlot. After some close discussion, he and I will return to Ponyville in a few days. I am writing to you because I would like to plan a surprise party for Big Mac. So please keep this on the down low for a while. If you could contact that pink party pony I’ve heard so much about, that would be nice. Please respond as soon as possible, for I would love to start planning soon.
Your friend,
Feather Nib~